Sowing seeds of knowledge

Abstract

Water and nutrition Sowing seeds of knowledge Half of South Africa’s population – some 27 million people – live below the global poverty line. Government grants are often the only means of survival in poor rural communities. However, the grants fall far short of being able to cover the basic cost of nutritious food. The experience of hunger is related to many different forms of deprivation. There is widespread ‘hidden hunger’ , in the form of micronutrient deficiencies, growing rates of overweight and obesity and – perhaps most concerning – stunting and overweight tendencies among small children. Taking a holistic view This study of consumption and production patterns investigated how crop production can lead to better nutrition by improving dietary diversity. This unique transdisciplinary study was conducted in four of South Africa’s poorest rural communities – Ingquza Hill (Eastern Cape), Jozini (KwaZulu-Natal), Maruleng (Limpopo) and Ratlou (North West).

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